World AIDS Day is being commemorated in the context of 16 Days Against Gender-based Violence, an annual international campaign that began on November 25 and ended on December 10, Human Rights Day. The World Council of Churches (WCC) also helps bring about grassroots awareness and change through the Thursdays in Black campaign for a world free from rape and violence.
The World Council of Churches is an ecumenical partner supported by the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment, which enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations.
WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit remembered the more than 30 million people who have died from AIDS, and emphasized how gender-based violence makes people more vulnerable to HIV.
“On this World AIDS DAY, let us walk the talk and journey with our communities to overcome HIV; let no one be left behind,” said Tveit.
Nearly 40 million people are currently living with HIV, with more than 25 million of them accessing antiretroviral therapy. The WCC emphasized there is no room for complacency.
“We want to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable in the communities through international, regional and national forums, holding ourselves and our governments accountable to just and quality access to prevention, care and treatment of HIV and AIDS for all people,” said Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri, WCC deputy general secretary.
Last year, 1.7 million people became newly infected with HIV, and more than 770,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. Each week around 6,000 young women ages 15–24 become infected with HIV. Women who have experienced physical or sexual violence are 1.5 times more likely to acquire HIV than women who have not.
More than one third (35%) of women around the world have experienced physical and or sexual violence at some time in their lives.
Often faith communities are at the forefront of mobilizing, caring, educating, learning, and living with people affected by HIV.
"Solutions to dealing with HIV are not found only in the ivory towers of policymakers, funding institutions or in the bureaucracy. They are located in compassionate and competent communities, successfully living with HIV. In their struggles and joys, they stand hand-in-hand with people living with HIV, seeing each person as a precious child of God, with inherent agency and worthy of care,” said Rev. Japé Mokgethi-Heath, an Anglican priest living with HIV who is co-chair of the WCC - Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance’s International Reference Group. Mokgethi-Heath is also a member of the International Reference Group of the WCC Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy (WCC-EHAIA).
World Council of Churches website
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund enables United Methodists to share a presence and a voice in the activities of several national and worldwide ecumenical organizations. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Interdenominational Cooperation Fund apportionment at 100 percent.